Announcement for start of Muharram & Hijri New Year 1440 AH

The first day of the month of Muharram 1440 AH falls on Tuesday, 11th September 2018, which is the beginning of the Islamic New Year of 1440 AH.

The Islamic New Year was initiated by the Muslims beginning from the year that the Prophet SallaAllahu Alaihi wa sallam migrated from Mecca to Medina.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The best fasting after Ramadan is in the month of Allah “Muharram” and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” (Muslim-1163)

The 10th day of Muharram is the day of Ashura. When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Medina, he found that the Jews in Medina were fasting on the 10th Muharram based on the fact that Moses (peace be upon him) would fast on that day.

The Prophet ﷺ then ordered the Muslims to fast on that day stating that we Muslims are closer and have more right to Moses than the Jews and mentioned that it wipes out the sins of the past year.

(Muslim 1130, 1162, Bukhari 3943)

The day of Ashura (10th Muharram) will fall on Thursday 20th September 2018.